How lottery impacts the Celtics

ESPNBOSTON

Chris Forsberg, ESPN Staff Writer

The Boston Celtics didn't have any chance of improving their 2015 draft position during Tuesday's lottery, but they're hoping the pingpong balls aided their future draft stock.

The Celtics stand to collect the 2016 first-round pick of the 2015 lottery-winning Minnesota Timberwolves if next year's pick lands outside the top 12. Boston will cross its fingers that Minnesota, with help from this year's No. 1 overall selection, can compete for a playoff spot this season and deliver that pick -- otherwise it becomes a pair of future second-round picks.

2015 NBA draft


ESPN Insider Chad Ford makes his picks for every team in the first round. Mock draft
It wasn't all good news for Boston fans, who watched the rival Los Angeles Lakers vault to the No. 2 spot. The Celtics can take some solace in the fact that Los Angeles' leap pushed two Atlantic Division rivals -- the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3) and New York Knicks (No. 4) -- a bit lower in the draft (and Los Angeles would have sent its pick to Philadelphia if it landed outside the top 5).

Also good for Boston: None of the teams that lingered just outside the playoff pack in the Eastern Conference this season vaulted. The Pistons (No. , Hornets (9), Heat (10), and Pacers (11) -- four teams the Celtics jockeyed with for a final playoff berth near the end of the year -- didn't vault, which should somewhat ease the consternation of those that disapproved of Boston's playoff push.

The Celtics currently own picks No. 16, 28 (via the Clippers), 33 (via Philadelphia) and 45 in this year's draft. With the draft order now set, Boston can better examine potential trade opportunities as it launches into a month heavy with draft workouts at the team's practice facility.

112288

I think that prying Detroit's or Charlotte's first round pick from them might be the easiest pick to obtain for the Celtics.  Both teams are probably the teams that do not necessarily need to look to draft a center because they already have Drummond (Detriot) or Jefferson (Charlotte) and may be able to get a power forward with the Cs #16 pick.  The top level points and wings will be gone by their picks if they are to do nothing.

With either pick the Cs could get Cauley-Stein and then maybe take a chance on Upshaw with the 28th pick.

Perhaps James Young or Bradley with the 16th pick could work with one of Charlotte or Detroit with a couple of second rounders tossed in.

Larry Bird has gone on record of considering Cauley-Stein a gazillion dollar player so I doubt that this kid slips by the Pacers at #11

Wide Cycle,

I would trade with Detroit and give them Sully as their power forward.

112288

I've long liked C-S, but then there was so much negative chatter about him on this board. I started to worry until I read Larry likes him. That's all I needed to see.

112288 wrote:Wide Cycle,

I would trade with Detroit and give them Sully as their power forward.

112288

Good idea. If Cauley Stein is still on the board when Detroit picks at #8, how about the #8 to Boston for Sullinger, #16 and #28? Sullinger's outside shooting abilities would fit well with Drummond's dominant inside game.

I do not think CS is good enough to give up our two first rounders and Sully.

CS is an average rebounder and a pretty good off the ball defender but after watching him in the tourney I became less impressed with his abilities.

As far as "Bad News" Upshaw is concerned, there is NO way I would risk a first round pick on him. First rounders get guaranteed contracts but can he guarantee to stay off the Weed?

I would however take a flyer on our second round pick.

dboss

dboss - Are a large % of NBA players marijuana users? I'd read this NYT article long ago - 18 years - about how most players smoked dope.

http://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/26/sports/marijuana-and-pro-basketball-a-special-report-nba-s-uncontrolled-substance.html

However, reading the CBA -

http://www.nba.com/.element/mp3/2.0/sect/podcastmp3/PDF/CBA101.pdf -

I see that although mj is a prohibited substance, the penalties for its use are pretty mild.

How long are our guaranteed contracts for a rookie anyways? 1 year? 2 years? It's not that much money. I think taking Upshaw at #28 is less of a risk than taking Fab Melo in Round 1. Of course it'd be sweet if we could get him at #33. Who knows what Danny is brewing in that pot of his? (that pun not intended).

W

1st rounders get a 4 year guaranteed contract with a team option for a 5th year

I do not personally have a problem with the Weed however he was kicked off of one team and then another. In his combine interview he stated something to the effect that he has been trying get himself together the past few weeks.

Really?

Did you pick up on the bad News reference???

dboss

Dboss,

1st rounders get a 2 year guaranteed contract. 
Years 3 and 4 are team options, but their salary percentage goes up significantly. 
Year 5 is a Quailfying Offer which makes them a restricted free agent.

Fortunately, players like Fab Melo and Royce White only had to get paid for 2 years.

Trying to get himself together for only the past few weeks? Jeekers!

Worcester,

IFor what it's worth, based on what I read, I believe Danny is going to go all-out for Cauley-Stein—quite possibly trading up for the #4 spot that the Knicks are apparently receptive to trading.

Sam

I am all for that Sam. C-S has Larry's seal of approval.